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Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa 50436-1713

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedRuralSports culture

Known for business

Waldorf University is a private institution in Forest City with particular strength in business and psychology.

A mid-sized campus of 2.1K undergraduates with a 22:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

29% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $51,165 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $21,683.

Established
1903
Motto
Lux et Veritas
Type
Private for-profit university
Conference
National Association of

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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73%Acceptance
SAT Avg
2,103Students
22:1Student:Faculty
29%Grad Rate
$51,165Earnings 10yr
$21,683Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate72.6%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$25,220
Room & Board$9,448
Books & Supplies$1,578
Total Cost of Attendance$38,035
Average Net Price$21,683
Median Debt at Graduation$18,752
Monthly Payment (10yr)$199

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$19,354
$30–48K$19,450
$48–75K$23,887
$75–110K$24,358
$110K+$24,590

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

61.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,025

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

12

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (42)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

52%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
2,103
Gender Split
38% / 62%
Women / Men
First Generation
46%
Pell Grant Recipients
34%

Race & Ethnicity

White 52%
Black 13%
Hispanic 2%
Asian 1%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate29.0%
Freshman Retention51.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$50,515
10 Years$51,165

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#72
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Warriors

Ice hockeyWrestlingSoccerWrestling program

History & Fun Facts

  • Since 1920, Waldorf's curriculum has evolved to reflect a liberal arts emphasis.
  • In the spring of 1994, Waldorf College was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • In January 2010, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sold the college to a subsidiary of Columbia Southern University and it became a for-profit institution.
  • Waldorf College became Waldorf University in March 2016.
  • In 2022, the ownership of the college was transferred to the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation and the university began the process of returning to nonprofit status.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

89Low

Estimated from IA state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K
120 mi(208 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
289 mi(501 min)
Kansas Citypop. 500K
292 mi(506 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul114 mi
MCI Kansas City280 mi
MKE Milwaukee291 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1143 mi · ~33h 1m drive
New York, NY1021 mi · ~29h 30m drive
Hartford, CT1070 mi · ~30h 55m drive
Providence, RI1133 mi · ~32h 44m drive
Albany, NY1004 mi · ~29h drive
Syracuse, NY880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Rochester, NY806 mi · ~23h 17m drive
Buffalo, NY745 mi · ~21h 31m drive
Philadelphia, PA979 mi · ~28h 17m drive
Pittsburgh, PA728 mi · ~21h 2m drive
Harrisburg, PA886 mi · ~25h 36m drive
Newark, NJ1012 mi · ~29h 14m drive
Washington, DC914 mi · ~26h 24m drive
Baltimore, MD924 mi · ~26h 42m drive
Atlanta, GA825 mi · ~23h 50m drive
Charlotte, NC880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Raleigh, NC950 mi · ~27h 27m drive
Miami, FL1427 mi · ~41h 13m drive
Orlando, FL1224 mi · ~35h 22m drive
Tampa, FL1228 mi · ~35h 29m drive
Nashville, TN611 mi · ~17h 39m drive
New Orleans, LA941 mi · ~27h 11m drive
Richmond, VA938 mi · ~27h 6m drive
Chicago, IL320 mi · ~9h 15m drive
Detroit, MI541 mi · ~15h 38m drive
Minneapolis, MN120 mi · ~3h 28m drive
St. Louis, MO367 mi · ~10h 36m drive
Kansas City, MO292 mi · ~8h 26m drive
Indianapolis, IN456 mi · ~13h 10m drive
Columbus, OH595 mi · ~17h 11m drive
Cleveland, OH621 mi · ~17h 56m drive
Milwaukee, WI289 mi · ~8h 21m drive
Dallas, TX744 mi · ~21h 30m drive
Houston, TX938 mi · ~27h 6m drive
Austin, TX926 mi · ~26h 45m drive
San Antonio, TX993 mi · ~28h 41m drive
Los Angeles, CA1465 mi · ~42h 19m drive
San Francisco, CA1550 mi · ~44h 47m drive
San Diego, CA1466 mi · ~42h 21m drive
Seattle, WA1414 mi · ~40h 51m drive
Portland, OR1434 mi · ~41h 26m drive
Denver, CO635 mi · ~18h 21m drive
Phoenix, AZ1203 mi · ~34h 45m drive
Salt Lake City, UT951 mi · ~27h 28m drive
Honolulu, HI3941 mi · ~113h 51m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

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